Tax on short-term rentals like Airbnb again under discussion in WA
The Washington Legislature is again considering empowering local governments to tax short-term housing rentals, much to the irritation of homeowners who rent out their properties on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo.
House Bill 2559 would allow cities and counties, starting in April 2027, to impose a tax up to 4% on short-term rentals to raise money for affordable housing. Uses of the revenue include building new housing, maintaining existing units and providing rental assistance.
If the bill moves forward, the fight over the proposal could be fierce.
Over the past year, Airbnb has pumped nearly $4 million into a political action committee opposing the idea in Washington. The company gave $1 million to the committee in late November. The PAC’s ads appear often on TVW, the state’s public affairs network.
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/20/tax-on-short-term-rentals-like-airbnb-again-under-discussion-in-wa/